The Power Of Positive Nagging

By Gobel Brockman


LUKE 18:1-8  And (Jesus) told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

It's impossible for me to read this parable without getting a picture in my mind's eye. I see a little lady walking into the courtroom. I see an old judge with a sour look sitting on the bench. I see a bailiff trying to stifle a laugh because he knows what's coming. The court stenographer begins typing before a word's said because she has the whole conversation memorized. It's been this way for weeks now. The widow approaches the bench and says, "Your Honor, I ask for justice. I have been wronged, and you know it." The judge responds, "Ma'am, as I've told you countless times, I am unable to act in your case. You will have to find another avenue for resolution. Next case!" The widow leaves. The judge shakes his head. They both know that this isn't over. She'll be back.

Sure enough, the next day's she's back. The look on her face is even more determined than ever. This time, she's brought witnesses - and a backbone of steel. She is in the right, and no foul-tempered know-it-all is going to get in her way. Not this time. No matter how dignified he looks in that highfalutin robe. The judge sees the fire in her eyes and realizes that he has no more weapons in this battle of wills. It's over. The only way he is going to get rid of her is to give her what she wants. The peace and quiet will make losing the battle a lot more tolerable. He rules in her favor. She goes away feeling vindicated. He's just glad she's going away.

The Scripture says that Jesus told this parable as an example that we should pray and not lose heart. I think we need to remember that there's one immeasurable difference: going to God in prayer is not like going to an unjust judge. As Christians, He is our Father. He loved us enough to send Jesus to pay the price for our sins. The Bible says in Romans that "If God be for us, who can be against us?" He knows what we have need of, and is able to supply. We can take every need to Him knowing that He has the answer.

But the part of that parable that sticks out the most to me is that last line: "Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" I find that to be an interesting question. He is saying, in effect, "When I return, will I be returning for a people who really trust me? Do they really believe I see their lives and care about their needs? Do they really think I would abandon them in their hour of greatest need?" Yes, I believe in prayer. I believe we should KEEP asking until we get an answer. I do not believe it angers God when we ask for things we've already asked for but haven't received yet. 'The power of positive nagging' if you will. For me however, the bigger issue is this: do I trust God regardless of how things appear? If this prayer is never answered the way I want, do I still believe in His love for me? Do I really have faith in Him? I hope so. He's answered too many prayers for me over the years to doubt it.

"Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" I hope I can make Him say 'yes' to that question. I hope you can as well.